This year at the Idaho-Montana ASLA Rendezvous, The Land Group received an ASLA Planning and Analysis Award of Merit for the Barber Station and Marianne Williams Park Master Plan.The scope of the work included a 53 acre mixed use development and a 70 acre regional park. The Land Group was the prime consultant leading the project through annexation and rezone, design development, design review, construction documents and ongoing construction administration. This involved the coordination of multiple consultants and agencies including civil and transportation engineers, architects, ecologists, the City of Boise, Ada County Highway District, Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Fish and Game and the Department of Environmental Quality.
The site was formerly a lumber mill, but has been vacant for decades. The Boise River runs along the southern edge and historically this site would have been subject to spring flooding. When levees were created to protect the mill, the area no longer flooded and the natural wetlands disappeared. By removing the existing dike, re-grading Walling Creek for flood conveyance, and lowering ground elevation along the river, the project allows some natural flooding and increases the flood capacity of the river. The plan is calculated to result in a reduction of up to .5 feet in the 100 year base flood elevation of the Boise River adjacent to the Wood Duck Island development. It increases the quality of wildlife habitat with over 20 acres of wetland and riparian areas and improved fish spawning habitat in Walling Creek.
The Land Group largely used the site hydrology to define the zoning plan and dictate future development. The land outside of the floodway was identified as Barber Station, a commercial hub with mixed use development, high density residential and the core of the new park. The land in the floodway provided an opportunity for parkland, restoring wetlands and riparian ecosystems and recreational opportunities. Roads, utilities, storm water design and other infrastructure were integrated with the adjacent Harris Ranch Community expansion plan and the new Park Center Bridge to the north. Planning and design stressed connectivity to surrounding communities, the Boise River greenbelt, and downtown Boise through public transit, bike paths and pedestrian walkways.
The area for Marianne Williams Park was donated by Larry and Marianne Williams. The park core offers opportunities for walking, picnicking and cycling. It includes a plaza, picnic shelter, gazebo and restroom facility. Along the Boise River and Walling Creek, the park protects and enhances wildlife habitat while integrating trails for interpretive signage, wildlife viewing and other passive activities. All buildings, landscaping, site design, lighting, signage and road design are to comply with design guidelines developed by the landscape architect and architect to ensure development evolves as proposed through the Boise City Planning and Zoning process.
Alaska ASLA jury comments:
- "Great integration of mixed use commercial and residential with large park/open space and trails; wonderful creation of a community with connections to home, work and play/nature."
- "Natural elements brought into the site seamlessly; Walling Creek brought into the development creates a great asset for the mixed use and residential areas."
- "Trails, greenbelts along the river and trails throughout the development are a huge benefit – attraction to future residents and surrounding community."
- "Ecology of the design provides an increased floodway only helping the development by making it more attractive to the community and residents, but also responds to the needs of nature and the natural processes of the adjacent Boise River."
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